List of Colorado's political donation power players

Oct. 7, 2012

Written by

Katharina Buchholz, Charles Trowbridge and Alison Noon

CU News Corps

Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, spent $6 million on his initial 2008 congressional campaign. He made his fortune by selling his online businesses. As of 2011, Polis was ranked as the sixth-wealthiest member of Congress.

Tim Gill ($3,683,894)

Denver-based Gill made a multimillion dollar fortune as the founder of software company Quark Inc. Gill runs his nonprofit organization The Gill Foundation and 501(c)(4) issue advocacy group The Gill Action Fund, both of which have donated substantial amounts to individuals and committees in Colorado and across the United States

Pat Stryker ($3,016,772)

Coloradan Pat Stryker and her siblings control Stryker Corp., a multi-million dollar medical supply company inherited from their grandfather. In 2002, Stryker spent $3 million to defeat a Colorado ballot initiative that would have ended bilingual education in the state. Stryker donates large sums to Democratic candidates and party committees.

Ed Perlmutter ($1,065,772)

Rep. Edwin “Ed” G. Perlmutter, D-Golden, has represented the 7th Congressional District since 2006. As an individual and through his campaign and leadership PAC, EDPAC, Perlmutter gives heavily to Democratic Party committees and candidates at the state and national levels.

Diana DeGette ($967,062)

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, represents Colorado’s first district in the House of Representatives. Through her congressional committee and leadership PACs, including Stem Cell Action Fund, DeGette gives to Democratic Party committees and candidates.

Peter Lewis ($875,650)

The chairman of insurance giant Progressive Corp. is well-known for backing marijuana legalization. In fall 2011, Lewis funded a group that tested advertising and online communications favoring marijuana legalization.

Joe Coors ($789,000)

Coors is running against Democratic incumbent Ed Perlmutter in Colorado’s 7th Congressional District. He makes the list for donating heavily to his own campaign, though he’s also donating to other candidates this year.

(Page 2 of 4)

Michael Bennet ($782,155)

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., loaned his 2012 campaign $500,000, and also formed a leadership PAC, Common Sense Colorado, that is donating to other Democratic candidates and party causes this cycle.

Robert Blaha ($753,697)

This Colorado Springs businessman lost the 5th Congressional District primary in June to GOP incumbent U.S. Rep Doug Lamborn, and loaned $752,082 to his campaign, spending it all. Blaha hadn’t contributed to campaigns at the state or national level before starting his own run.

Bruce Berger ($679,950)

Bruce N. Berger is an Aspen-based writer who supports Democratic causes and races across the nation.

William Armstrong III ($623,455)

The Republican namesake of former U.S. Sen. William Armstrong II, Armstrong ran unsuccessfully in 2008 for Congress, finishing second to now-U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman in the 6th Congressional District. He spent $550,000 on his race.

Phil Anschutz ($621,050)

The entrepreneur’s main endeavors are oil, railroads and telecommunications, but also include entertainment venues. He supports Republican candidates.

Robert Katz ($522,680)

Robert Katz, of Boulder, is the chairman of the board of directors for Vail Resorts Inc. of RockResorts International LLC and Vail Resorts Lodging Co. Katz donates to various campaigns for individual Democratic candidates, including President Barack Obama, and Democratic Party interests. But he also gave to GOP House Speaker Frank McNulty this year.

Gregory Maffei ($472,305)

The president and CEO of Liberty Media gave $213,000 to three GOP super PACs so far in 2012. But he’s also given to Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet.

Chris Findlater - $471,905

Christopher Findlater lives in Florida as a retired energy investor who is interested in journalism, election reform, energy recycling and Amendment IV of the U.S. Constitution. He supports Democratic causes and has contributed specifically to Rep. Jared Polis and Sen. Mark Udall’s campaigns.

Top 15 Colorado Organization Power Players

(Page 3 of 4)

National Education Association ($9,816,251)

The NEA is the largest labor union in the United States representing public school teachers and personnel. A major supporter of the Democratic Party, the NEA’s funding comes largely from member dues.

United Food & Commercial Workers ($8,249,834)

The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents employees at Safeway, Cargill, Kraft, Heinz, Sears and Saks Fifth Avenue, to name a few. UFCW aligns itself with Democratic Party ideals and supports the party’s candidates.

American Crossroads ($6,044,397)

American Crossroads is a heavyweight among conservative SuperPacs. Most of Crossroads’ Colorado spending was in opposition to Sen. Michael Bennet’s 2010 campaign.

Service Employees International Union ($5,957,978)

The SEIU is made up of three worker divisions: health care, property services and public services. In 2008, the national union, as well as handful of state affiliates, gave more than $1.8 million to the Protect Colorado’s Future organization to fight anti-union ballot initiatives. But the union also supports Democratic causes and candidates.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ($3,957,978)

AFSCME covers four “special national bodies:” United Nurses of America, AFSCME Corrections United, AFSCME Retirees and Child Care Providers Together. According to OpenSecrets.org, AFSCME is the second largest all-time political donor nationally, giving more than $61.6 million in contributions since 1989, mostly to Democratic committees and individual candidates.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce ($3,875,499)

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of 300,000 individual businesses and 2.7 million more trade associations and local Chambers of Commerce. In Colorado, the Chamber spent heavily to oppose the elections of Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in 2010 and Mark Udall in 2008.

Colorado Education Association ($3,757,605)

The Colorado affiliate of the National Education Association has 40,000 Coloradan educators as members. The group donates primarily to Democratic candidates and causes.

(Page 4 of 4)

Jacobs Entertainment ($3,493,040)

Based in Golden, Jacobs Entertainment Inc. is a privately owned corporation that builds and operates gaming properties in Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada and Virginia including The Lodge Casino in Black Hawk. Jacobs supports Republican efforts primarily in the states it owns business, and has also spent heavily on casino-related initiatives.

Coloradans for Economic Growth ($3,406,958)

The 501(c)4 nonprofit was founded in 2008 and gave more than $4 million in support of Colorado Amendment 47, an unsuccessful anti-union proposition.

Freedom’s Watch ($2,808,671)

Freedom’s Watch was a former 501(c)(4) lobbying organization that primarily supported Republican policies and candidates. In Colorado, the group spent to oppose Sen. Mark Udall’s 2008 election.

Colorado Business for Sensible Solutions ($2,495,500)

Colorado Business for Sensible Solutions was a 2008 issue committee created primarily to oppose Amendment 47, known as the Colorado Right to Work Initiative.

National Rifle Association ($2,311,432)

Founded in 1871, the National Rifle Association is a supporter of Second Amendment rights. In Colorado, the group works for and against candidates at both the state and federal level.

Planned Parenthood ($2,292,405)

The health care provider lobbies Congress through its own 501(c)(4), The Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which has offices in Washington, D.C., and New York. In Colorado, the group spent heavily to oppose so-called “personhood” initiatives in 2008 and 2010; it also supports mostly Democratic candidates.

Ameristar ($2,117,338)

Ameristar Casinos Inc., owns eight casinos nationwide, one of them located in Black Hawk. With Jacobs Entertainment and other casino interests, Ameristar spent heavily in 2008 to pass an initiative raising stakes at Colorado casinos with tax proceeds going to community colleges.

Patriot Majority ($2,110,000)

Patriot Majority is a super PAC focused on preserving Democratic seats in congressional and gubernatorial races. The group spent heavily to oppose Colorado GOP Senate candidate Bob Schaffer in 2008.